Thanks to everyone for their constant support. The only reason
I bother to speak and preach ALIVENESS is because of e-mails like
these that I receive everyday. Knowing that there are a few of
you out there who do 'get it' is what keeps me going. - Matt Thornton
Note: On some e-mails we have chosen not to post the authors
name. This is due to the nature of some of the letters, and the
respect for privacy. If you see your e-mail here and would like
your name posted, let us know. Also, if you see your e-mail here,
and would like for us to remove it let us know. In either case
we will be happy to oblige.
Queens, NY- Mixed martial arts guru Matt Thornton recently held
a seminar at the Progressive Martial Arts Academy to a rather
large crowd of fighters, students and trainers. Present at the
seminar where the likes of BAMA, REALITY FIGHTING and Ring of
Combat veteran Danny Suarez, so was “Dog Brothers”
Nick “Raw Dog” Sacoulas, the PMAA Head Instructor,
(who also sponsored this seminar). One of NYC’s top MMA/NHB
fight trainer/manager, Combined Martial Arts Head Instructor Steve
Katz was also an active participant.
The flow of the seminar was excellent, technique after technique,
Matt’s ability to hold the entire groups attention was amazing.
His philosophy on mistakes made in cross training and style development
will make any fighter, student or trainer take a second look on
how they presently train. Matt’s team consisted of Brazilian
Juijitsu 2nd degree Black Belt (Machado) Chris Haueter and Adam
Singer a Brazilian Juijitsu Purple Belt, Matt Thornton’s
Southern Regional Director.
---------- • ----------
Matt,
I just wanted to write a short note of thanks to you. I
have seen all three of your SBG videos, visited your website frequently
and have enjoyed your posts on Mousel's forum. Your words
consistently challenge the notions that I have adopted over the
years and have encouraged me to examine, challenge and test them
to discover the truth for myself. Thanks. -Russ
---------- • ----------
Matt
It's been about 6 months since I purchased your video series,
and I thought it was about time I wrote to complement you on them.
What the Dog Brothers Tapes did for the stick you have done for
the rest of martial arts. They are simply the best MA tapes
I have seem, in both content and production quality. What
boggles my mind is how many people still want to do the old drills,
even after seeing the tapes. The JKD place I train at is
pretty good with regards to alive training, but in some areas
it is still an up hill battle against the traditional way of thinking.
Thanks -Kevin
---------- • ----------
Matt,
I just got through viewing your videotapes...I thought that they
were very good, and will recommend them to everyone. We
did some recent additions on our web site and I mentioned your
name. You might want to check it out... www.fighting.net.
Keep up the good work! - Paul Vunak
---------- • ----------
Hey Matt,
Great interview! Way to be honest about the state of JKD and
reality training! Any idea when the rest of the options on this
site will be up and running? I travel alot with my job, I hope
to be in your area one day to come a learn a few things. Keep
up the good work! -Michael
---------- • ----------
Matt,
I just happened to find a reference to your interview with Derrick
Cox on Mousel's forum. Read the article and found that you
have in a no nonsense fashion put into words my attitude
and ideas towards JKD, training and fighting. I have only
developed this attitude within the last 2 1/2 - 3 years (better
late than never). I am currently an instructor under Dan
Inosanto and I couldn't stop laughing at your "shotokan analogy".
God you are right. All the JKD crap can be such an ego trip
and it is so easy to miss the intent of the art-FIGHTING ABILITY.
Didn't know much about you but had heard your name before.
Just wanted to say good job and I am going to make every effort
to come out and train with you next time I am on the west coast.
---------- • ----------
Hello,
My name is A.J. and I am a martial art's instructor in Tokyo,
Japan. I recently watched the three tapes of, Aliveness,
Clinch, and Ground fighting and absolutly love them. My
school pretty much does the same thing and have a lot of the same
concepts. -A.J.
---------- • ----------
Hi Matt
I just evaluated under you at Rodney King's Gym in South Africa
and I would just like to thank you for the excellent training
and seminars. Everybody at the school who attended is feeling
revitalized and keen to go through everything you showed us. I
have allready started to use some of the grappling moves in class
and what I like about them is that they are simple and highly
effective. It is a pleasure to meet and train under such an excellent
athlete who doesn't have the ego to match as ego is the downfall
of many. I look forward to training with you again when you come
again and wish you well for the future.
Thanks. -Greg
---------- • ----------
Hey Matt,
I am excited to see that your site is coming along so well. I
am excited about seeing that you will have information about personal
training programs on the site soon. Thanks to Burton, who I am
a student with, I have really changed my philosophy on fighting
and combat. About 90% of the "stuff" I learned to get
my Kempo Black Belt has been very useless to me in combat situations.
Even the "stuff" I learned in the year I studied JKD
concepts, before hooking up with Burton, I find to be lacking
in actual combat effectiveness. I wrestled for 8 years before
I started Martial Arts, and I find that my wrestling tie-ups are
more effective than the boang sao's, and huen sao's and all that
nonsense. The pummeling drills that I worked in high school
and college work more effectively when I am in trapping range,
than chi sao or hubud. So, there are some of us out there that
are concerned about what actually works, and not just theory.
I argue with my old kempo buddies all the time, but none are willing
to put the gear on and get on the mat, I guess that says alot.
Anyway, now that I am done rambling, keep up the good work!
Sincerely, Mike
---------- • ----------
Hi Matt,
Recently returned from overseas on military service and have
just watched your video "the ground" and visited your
new web sight. WOW.May I say that the video is a true inspiration,
well scripted, presented with good content (be ordering
some more in due course).
When I first read the interview with Derrick Cox I was truly impressed.
your thoughts, views, and opinions are like a shining beacon in
the middle of a storm. It made me realise some hard truths
about myself and my training mentality. I teach my own students
but I am under a Dan Inosanto instructor, and what you said about
following his every whim and action is perfectly true. In fact
what you said made me feel like I was looking at myself and the
others I train with in a mirror. I originally went to train
with them to try and achieve some reality in my training, but
after what you have pointed out , I have basically ended up with
the "classical mess".Don't get me wrong I still value
my training and respect my instructors, but feel that it is lacking
the "Aliveness".
P.S. as you are well aware there is the continuing argument going
on about original / concepts JKD. This is tiring and very
boring, however because your views are very fresh and interesting
how would you feel if I passed your name / web site onto one of
the magazines in this country for them to have a look at what
you have to say?. I would just email them and say have a look
at this interesting guy and his opinions, no more no less. If
don't know if anything would come of it, but I think your voice
should reach a wider audience.
Thanks for your time. All the best. -Martyn
---------- • ----------
Hi Matt,I love what you guys do. My question is,can you recommend
anybody in the New York City area? Thanks,Tom hello mat
i am one of burtons appentices i just wanted to thank you for
having the balls to say and adhere to the truth of actual combat
i look foward to training with you sometime.- cujo
---------- • ----------
matt,
i've been training in jkdc for 9.5 years. the last 4 i've been
working my way towards a full instructorship under dion riccordo.
i started training under dwight woods, attended a voo seminar,
begged voo for the name of a pfs instructor in so. florida (since
i now realized i knew nothing about functional jkd, but i had
a thick notebook:). he hooked me up with carlos hernandez. i trained
with carlos for a year before moving to the chicago area to take
a cop job. i started training with dion ricorrdo. i asked permission
to teach some people and "d" said go ahead. this is
where your articles hit me like a overhand right. i bugged dion
for a instructors certificate,"so my students will know i'm
certified" dion's answer went right over my head,"your
ability is your best certificate" now after reading your
articles i finally get it, what a knucklehead i was/am. after
dion preaching to me for 2 years now, your words were the final
straw. i don't need a piece of paper, a certificate can never
replace ability. well i'm headed out to teach a class, that i
intend to particapate in. best regards matt, your not the only
one. dion did everything but beat me over the head with it, sometimes
it takes an outside "voice" to get through. thank you.
p.s. happy holidays.
paul
---------- • ----------
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! That was the most realistic understanding
of the state of the arts I have ever read. I spent years studying
traditional martial arts under instructors who criticize boxing,
wrestling, etc.. They all had that stupid attitude that they would
demolish these guys in fights because "they only punch. We
punch and kick. We have more weapons."
Astonishingly, most of these guys had never been in a fight in
their lives! I stood Shore Patrol in the Navy for ten years (I'm
34 now) and saw fights almost every Friday and Saturday nights
and learned both from witnessing them and having to get in there
and break them up that 98% of the nonsense I had been taught collapsed
under real resistance. Yes, resistance separates fantasy from
reality. I really liked the explanation of "aliveness"
too. I have seen too many Kali instructors who teach the drills
as ends in themselves rather than as means to an end (namely,
combat ability). Unfortunately, this disenchantment with the martial
arts led me to quit and train the street stuff on my own. You
guys have given me new hope! I could go on and on about the interview.
It was just so full of real wisdom (instead of wanna-be Kwai Chang
crap). Gotta go. Post some more stuff like that-even if it irritates
some, it may just open their eyes a bit. I hope to get your video
set soon. Later! -James
---------- • ----------
Dear Matt,
I just read your philosophy section of your page, it is perhaps
the most inspiring thing I have ever read on any MA page....
That is definitely getting printed out and going on my wall....
-Ian
---------- • ----------
Matt,
I am currently stationed in Japan. I have a back ground in Parker
Kenpo but found myself becoming frustrated with (to use one of
your phrases) "pecking orders." I'll be getting
out of the Military in 16 mo. and I would very much like to continue
training punching/kicking, trapping/grappling & ground fighting
ranges- BUT WHERE??
We'll be in S. California. If I could just get pointed in the
right direction I would really appreciate any advice or school
suggestion that you may have.
Thanks for your time.
---------- • ----------
Hey Matt
I really admire what you're doing in the martial arts. -Rick
---------- • ----------
I just wanted to say that you guys deserve a f*%kin' medal for
setting up str8 blast gym! In my town of about 25,000 everyone
is "captivated" by the teachings of a "10th generation
7 star praying mantis grandmaster" . This guy is such
a fraud. I've seen his top students practice, and realistically
they would have their asses collectively handed to them by angry
girlscouts. I am absolutely impressed that there is a gym that
pursues truth in combat. I hope to one day have the honor of training
at such a school. -Ryan
---------- • ----------
hey Matt,
Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how much I enjoy
not only your tapes but the other tapes you offer as well. It
is refreshing to see someone strip away a lot of the mystacism
associated with the Martial Arts. You along with the Dog Brothers,
Tony Blauer and Burt Richardson have really opened my mind. Thanks
again and keep up the good work. -Brad
---------- • ----------
Hey Matt,
The web-site looks great, very informative and easy to navigate,
you can't ask for much more than that!
I have written to you before to tell you how much your video's
and philosophy changed my outlook on M.A. and training. I am no
longer training in JKD. The emphasis on trapping, dead drills
and the lack of live groundfighting caused me to re-evaluate what
was best for me! As a result I have started training with John
Busto who trained under Bart Vale in Shootfighting. It has been
a real eye opener! I thought I could fight on the ground, my wrestling
background has given me a great base from which to build, and
I am able to pick things up quickly, but I have a lot to learn.
Every class we fight live, either on the ground, standing, or
in most cases both.
I learned a lot of good stuff in JKD, and I do not regret my
training in that art. But the emphasis on "live" training
in Shootfighting has excelerated my learning curve, and removed
any doubt to the effectiveness of my training.
Keep up the great work! -Michael
---------- • ----------
Matt Thornton,
I just wanted to write to tell you how the philosophy of the
Straight Blast Gym changed the way I look at training as well
as my life (I bought the book "The Awakening of Intellegence").
When I first watched your tapes (the ones you taught on) I admit
that I found a little offense to some things you said. But after
a little under a year of watching/studying your tapes, and training
in traditional martial arts, your philosophy started to click.
I started to see the many things you talked about that were lacking
in most martial art schools out there. I don't think all my years
of sweat and pain were useless, but I'm glad I'm seeing these
things in a new light. The main problem now is finding a school
that shares the same outlook on training. I was also wondering
what your new tape series was going to be over, and when it will
be available? Thank you for your time, and for producing some
GOOD top quality tapes on the truth in training.
Thank You again, -Joel
---------- • ----------
Howdy From The Lone Star State,
I just wanted to say that I think Matt and all the SBG crew are
doing an outstanding job, please keep up the good work! Your tapes
and articles challenge the dogma and myths that plague the martial
arts and are a true blessing!
Peace, -Rex
PS: "The truth will set you free, but in the process it
will piss you off!"
---------- • ----------
Hi,
I finally read somethink and got lost in my own experiences as
a human being. Finally, I know there are gyms out there
that open the door to truth in combat.-Tony
---------- • ----------
Hello,
Matt, this is a great website, thank you for putting it together.
When I first started looking at it, I was disturbed, not angry,
just disturbed, which is great. I had to realize that I
was doing a lot, a huge amount of repetitive patterns in my standup
training.. I had gotten out of sparring into doing dead
patterns, because they are safe, physically and emotionally.
Oddly enough, in my grappling, I hadn't done that because my former
training buddy just wanted to roll. One was too dead, and
the other one, I never got to drill techniques. Guess which
one I progressed in..., yes the ground fighting. So now I am trying
to get a little life in my stand-up, and am going to a catch class
to learn some techs for the ground, and to roll. Currently,
my stand-up consists of working with some guys at a university
club where people get together to train. I am not in an
organized class, but I am not sure anymore that that is a bad
thing. I have been involved in JKD Concepts, and JFJKD,
and in both of them, I did little or no sparring. In fact, I did
more sparring when I was 25 and doing Bango (put on the mitts
and headgear, bang and find out what works) with guys on campus,
and I was a better fighter. Anyway, thanks for the boot
in the rear. Being recently married I am a little low on cash,
but I will be ordering some tapes, soon. And if I am ever
down Oregon way, maybe I can drop in one of your classes.
Keep up the good work.... Lew (just tryin' to stay alive)
---------- • ----------
Matt,
I just wanted to write a short note of thanks to you. I
have seen all three of your SBG videos, visited your website frequently
and have enjoyed your posts on Mousel's forum. Your words
consistently challenge the notions that I have adopted over the
years and have encouraged me to examine, challenge and test them
to discover the truth for myself. Thanks. -Russ
---------- • ----------
Dear Matt
Hi - hope you are keeping well. Just wanted to let you know that
we really love your recent article on "performance"
- it's great!! What a lovely and well deserved compliment
to Rodney - we love training with him! The best thing that
could have happened to us was finding Rodney. We really
appreciate that the training and knowledge that is being passed
on to us is invaluable. We, personally know this for fact
as we came from a traditional school and see the difference! No
comparison!! All we can do now is spread the word and what an
easy job when you have the passion for the training and the confidence
in knowing that what we are doing is the BEST out there!! We can't
wait for you to return to SA in July.
See you then. Kind Regards, Jeni & Bobby (from Rodney's school)
---------- • ----------
Matt,
I've e-mailed you before letting you know your opinions on your
website on MA are completely in line with mine and very well articulated,
but damn man, this quote from your updated site is pure genius!
"Christ wasn't a Christian, Buddha wasn't a Buddhist, and
Mohammed wasn't a Muslim. These organized creations of other men
came about after their death, and with them came the titles, rituals,
and terminology's which created a separation of dogma. The terminology,
the 'word' printed and bound, became the thing. As Krishnamurti
said, "the name is not the thing". Shakespeare doesn't
exist inside the ink on the page, the soul doesn't exist within
DNA, and god cannot be found in a book."
That is just down right deep brother. This is the very essence
of truth and pertains to everything in life.
Anyway, keep up the good work. -Philip Proctor
---------- • ----------
Hello! Matt,
I must say that your videos stand out as an original piece
of work amongst martial arts videos . They illustrate the importance
of training with aliveness. Also, I really liked the music choreography
at the end of video 3, the "El Santo" (The Saint) song,
as it reminded me of my childhood wrestling hero whom I saw wrestle
on occasions across the Texas border. The man could move and do
unbelievable wrestling maneuvers. I went looking for some of his
movies so that I could send them to you, but were not available.
Incidentally, in one of the early/late sixties movies that he
made, there was a scene where he fought a "Karate gi'd"
villain which was rather interesting then since he was a grappler.
If I manage to find some I will most certainly mail them out to
you. Moreover, I will email you and let you know when the reviews
will be completed. Thanks for putting together material that is
so relevant to actual fighting and also for making statements
that other instructors dared not say until you came along. -Rene
Hinojosa
---------- • ----------
Hello Matt!
I'm from Slovenia, my english is not very well, but I really
hope you will understand me :)))) .... My name is Robi and I would
like to thank you, because you really opened my eyes... When I
was reading your excellent homepage I was thinking all the time:
My god, I was blind for nearly 17 years!!!! You woke me up!!!!
All this traditional bullshit we practised day after day, year
after year!!!! Now I am searching the truth the same way you do
and it is a very exciting path! My friend already wrote you, his
name is also Matt and he is also from Slovenia, we do our workouts
together and I told him to order all your stuff. He did so and
yesterday he received your tapes and he told me, that they are
really excellent tapes... Now I'm very keen on it to see this
tapes.
I know your mailbox is full of such e-mails like this here, but
I think I have to say to you, that you are doing a good work.
My friend told me, he will visit you maybe this summer. If I had
the oppotunity and the cash I would also come to your gym. Please
let me know if you are coming to Europe, no matter if it is Austria,
Switzerland, Germany, Italy, because I want to see you. -lep pozdrav
-from Slovenia
---------- • ----------
Hi Matt,
My name is Pavel Saenz and im from Chile southamerica and I am
really interested on doing your ICC program what do i have to
do? how much will it cost me? I would really apreciate your information,
thanks sincerely. -Pavel
---------- • ----------
Hi Matt,
I e-mailed you a while ago, from Italy, and didn't have a chance
to read you reply until a few days ago, so thanks for answering
me. I have read your website, and I like your approach to MA a
lot. It's true that a lot of MA is just dead patterns that don't
enhance fighting ability. I took four years of Karate, at 2 different
schools. It took me years before I could finally admit that what
I was being taught was basically rubbish. Not to down all karate,
just what I experienced. The advent of UFC changed the way I percieved
MA, as I'm sure it did for many others.
If it was possible I'd train at your gym, but right now it's
not. It does sound ideal though, as realism is all I'm interested
in. Not belts, plastic trophies, or trying to impress. One thing
that strikes me about the Straight Blast approach is that you
don't seem to train lots of extraneous stuff, and I think thats
the way to go.
Another thing I'm curious about is your opinion on "heros"
in the MA world. Your work seems to focus on making each martial
artist a self reliant indiviual in MA, does that mindset preclude
having a MA icon? I ask as I think that most martial artists have
someone they look up to, even if they won't admit it. In fact
I think that most MA people need someone in this capacity. I'd
be curious to know your opinions and feelings on this subject.
Do/did you have someone you base yourself on or refer to in the
MA world, or is this anethema to you?
On another note, I wholly agree with your repiles to an e-mail
which asked about "deadly" martial arts. The idea of
people taking such arts and then walking around with a knife,
and thinking tactically, is very true. MA can't exist in
a fantasy world, and yet so much of the MA world does(in my opinion)
exist in just such a way. -Dylan.
---------- • ----------
Hi Matt,
Just a quick note to tell you guys you do a Great Job! --Mr.BIFF
---------- • ----------
Hello,
I have seen your ads and have read some of the articles that
you have put out in numerous MA magazines. I myself have
been in MA since my earlier years and agree with your points on
MA politics. We should spend our time training and let that speak
for itself. People such as you, Paul Vunak, Burton Richardson,
and others who want us to experience things for ourselves and
to learn from those experiences. Like so many I have found it
is not so much the art but how you train. I myself for example
have no ground experience. Recently I have found a mixed martial
art club that has people with BJJ experience. As soon as I have
a chance I plan to roll with these guy and learn from the experience.
Since I live in TN and haven't found much other than karate school,
yet any body with an open attitude I try to work with. Overall,
much respect to you and those you train with. By the way, and
advice for a guy that is taking things where he can find them,
any info will be appreciated.
Humbly yours. -Johnny
---------- • ----------
Matt,
Just wanted to Thank You personally. I read a section in
your Q&A section and realized that we had almost lost what
we had hoped to gain. It was the story of Park Fu.
It sounded exactly like us. We went to the park and fought
to find realism. I began to see some of the small politics
begin, but didn't think anything of it. Reading some of
your writings and philosophy re-inspires me and reminds us what
we started this for and what we, or at least me for myself, started
fighting on a more realistic level for. To become a better
fighter. I pay attention to the groundfighting, just using
what we've used and "uncovered" during the fights, but
I think I will pick up one of your grappling tapes. I don't
know if you know, but your ideas have reminded me and saved where
I was seeing the group going. We have always had the goals
of being effective fighters, but slowly other things were starting
to get involved. I ran into your site at just the right
time that I needed it. Best of luck and wishes. I
want to put your site on our links page, is there any logo that
we can put next to it? Once again, congrats on where you
are taking yourself, don't ever forget what you are doing, and
thanks for reminding me. Anytime you make it to Hawaii to
visit with Burt, please let me know.
Take Care,
Chad W. Getz chad@fullcontacthi.com
Full Contact Stickfighting Hawaii
http://www.fullcontacthi.com
---------- • ----------
Dear Matt,
I recently purchased your Functional JKD tapes and am very impressed
with the series. I ordered them while recovering from knee
surgery due to an injury received while training with a JKD instructor
where I live. Your tapes helped me rethink what I wanted
out of my training, as well as how I train. They helped
me realize that while my instructor and some of the people I trained
with could fight well, that perhaps I needed to train differently
and with other people because I wasn't really as functional as
I wanted to be. Well to make a long story short, you tapes helped
me stay motivated to train again and forced me to ask a lot of
hard questions about my abilities(or lack thereof), my teachers,
and various peoples' attitudes(myself included). Basically,
I just wanted to say thanks for putting in the effort to make
such a great tape set.
Sincerely, -Jon Femia
---------- • ----------
Matt,
Amen, amen and amen!!! My training partners and I have
been trying to scream the same message from the rooftops for years!
We started out in "traditional" Kung Fu. I remained
in that system after the others had moved on. I attempted
to blend the things I had learned in JKD with the Kung Fu. I had
one problem...no one in the KF wanted to change! They didn't
want to make contact, didn't want to work on conditioning.
I was later tossed out (no big loss there).
I still have the same problem though! Only now it is with
my job. I have been a Police Officer for just shy of 8 years.
I teach Defensive Tactics at 3 different Police Academies here
in **. Would you believe that one of them will not even
allow me to teach groundfighting. "We wont be going
that far on an arrest" No bullshit, that is what I
was told. Needless to say, I pissed the Academy admin off when
I asked if he was that stupid while on patrol, and even questioned
whether he had worked the street before. Groundfighting
is required to be taught by the state, as of July 1,1999.
And you wouldn't believe some of the bullshit I've seen. ie. -
"response to a rear naked choke - Reach up and access the
mastoid nerves below the ear/jaw." Thats actually in
the manual! When I questioned the "head instructor"
I was told it would work in real time. Of course I asked
for a demonstration. Just before he passed out, I whispered
in his ear that I almost felt those nerve points working.
Of course I got into big trouble for that one! Story of
my life!
So here's the point - Keep on preaching reality brother!
Even in the world of law enforcement where you face reality every
day, there are still idiots!
Thanks for listening to me rant! Stay Safe, -Wil
---------- • ----------
Mr. Thorton:
I heard about you through adverts and comments by you and Burton
Richardson on Mousel's forum. This caused me to visit your
website. I really like what you have to say. It's
made me re-think my training entirely! I was just wondering
what lead you to where you are now? What was your training
background? What did you find efficient or inefficient in
your earlier fields of study? I've read about Burton's training
evolution from beginning to now that lead to where he is; he seems
to count meeting you as being a revolutionary turning point in
his thinking and training. What was that turning point for
you?
Thanks, -L.D. Escher
---------- • ----------
Matt,
I recently purchased your JKD series and was very impressed.
What is happening at the Blast is what I have been looking for
in all of my years of martial arts. Although my training had been
moving towards that level (and cutting away inessential things),
it was so inspiring and energizing to see it happening.
I have learned much about my insecurities and fears...but also
about my strengths. In the end, this approach, this path, is about
truth...and you either absorb truth, or break yourself on its
hard surface. Actually, its probably always a little bit of both
...anyway, I have deepened the process that I had begun a few
years back, focusing, cutting out the useless baggage I
had accumulated...so I want to ask, do you have any advice from
your own early years of this process? What parts of the process
were hardest? Did you dive right in to the vale tudo style training
or was it a gradual acclimation? Just curious...anyway, thanks
for the inspiration... -Michael A
---------- • ----------
Sir,
I stumbled across your website by accident, perusing the AOL
JKD message board (they are kind of up in arms about your site),
but let me say that thank God someone has the guts to make the
statements that you do in your site!! I have been a martial
artist for nearly 30 years, and an officer of the courts for 15
years, and I know what you are saying. Of all the arts I've
partaken of, boxing and my particular style of Eskrima (which
is reality based), was what gave me the edge when the stuff hit
the fan at work. We do very, very few of the traditional
drills that are often associated with the Filipino martial arts,
preferring to do things that cause others in the FMA's to gasp
in horror, such as hard, contact sparring and training with live
blades. I am familiar with many JKD people, and have long
had a problem with the direction this art has followed.
It isn't too far removed at all from the "traditional"
arts they are so fond of knocking. Again, good job on this site,
and continued success to you. I am based in Fort Wayne,
Indiana; please let me know if there are any gyms/schools affiliated
with the Straight Blast Gyms in my area. I would love to
send my students over there to experience your "philosophy"....it
would be the best thing I could do for them. -Kim
---------- • ----------
Matt
I read the Q and A with you in the Web and it gives me a clearer
view of the whole picture(fighting).
Thanks! -Mac Moraleja from Hong Kong
---------- • ----------
Greetings from Phil!!
thank you so much for suppliying great information on your site,
i have now completed only 2 lessons in JKD and i enjoy every moment
of it!!! i am training with Steve Bazzea of the Physical Arts
Acadamy and even though this is something we are not used to (
dead drills are so easy!) we know when we have made a true defence
or attack and i thank you for inspiring our teacher to make the
move to affiliatte with straightblastgym!!! I purchased the Tao
of JKD about a year and half ago and i still refer to it everyday
just to remind myself of the basics of the formless form!!! i
have always loved the martial arts and now that we are beginning
a journey to discover the truth of what fighting is actually about,
i feel really scared and yet so liberated beacause of what we
will learn!! i have made a promise to myself that i will only
use what i know for the good of man, not to hurt or to gain power
but to become more humble and accepting of the turmoil that we
all have to endure everyday. I feel that this is the way, the
right path, and it seems that you at Straight blast have let us
know that there is a great difference in knowing the path and
walking the path, i feel safer walking with you guys behind us
at the physical arts acadamy!! again, thank you for your time
and effort in spreading the word of the beauty of what may seem
to be a violent art, but it is one that unites the soul, mind
and body to make those who want the truth, the best they can be!!!
your friend in the martial arts! -Philip (S Africa)
---------- • ----------
MR.MATT THORNTON,
I think that the straight blast gym and everything about it are
what champs are made of. im gonna call the keizer gym tomarrow
to find out about takin some submission wrestling classes. Ive
wrestled now for 3 years and have a freestyle record of 37-6 under
heavyweight, and think that with some of my striking skills i
can combine the knowledge of all my disciplines and maybe make
a ufc champ out of myself some day! well, thank you for
your time Mr.Thornton! i hope to see you soon. -shawn "The
Rock Pile"
i just read the interview on your website, i am a big bruce lee
fan, and have read the book Jeet kune do, that was writtenby bruce
lee , and you defnitely hit the nail on the head, your concept
of "aliveness" is correct, i think if lee was alive
today, he would be happy with what you are doing, jkd is everyone's
own personal expression, no names no styles, i also think a lot
of the "gurus" and former students of bruce who claim
to teach jkd, are just after money and have no idea what bruce's
ideas were all about. -Andrew
---------- • ----------
Hello Mr. Thornton,
I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I was happy
to see you on Burton Richardson's Advisory Board as you are truly
as inspiration to me. I LOVE your tapes and I find myself agreeing
with you at every turn either on your tapes or on your site. I
have been training in martial Arts for 28 years in various "styles"
and JKD since "86". And over the years I have come to
belive alot of what you are now saying. but I didn't have the
balls to stand by my own experience and I would always give in
to the powers that be.
I played the seminar certification game and all that for years.
And finally I left jkd, sick and tired of the whole thing. Instead
I just did my own thing. I would tell people, well, it's basically
JKD but I'm not certified to teach it and we don't do complex
traps etc... So I don't call it JKD... Even though in my heart,
I believed it was a truer form of JKD than what most of these
"certified" people were doing. But when I finally got
your tapes, I was blown away, I really was, not by complexity
or 100 new lock flows or any of that crap, but by the total honesty
and performance of you and the Gym members. the whole vibe was
there, THAT is what I was looking for all these years, simple,
no bullshit, no hoops to jump through, down to earth and functional.
You were not hanging on anyones coattails, but said this is ME
this is what we are about and you stood there in honest self expression.
And man, you gave me courage!
I thought, ya know what, believe in yourself and trust yourself,
you have put in the time and training, you don't need any "names"
to lend you credence. at 33 years old, I felt like I grew up!
I knew that one day I would have to train with you and your guys,
and one of my students has a brother that just moved to where
you are (I am in Cleveland) and so now we have a place to crash
and we are planning a Gym trip sometime soon to meet you all,
maybe the camp if we can swing it. But in any event, you have
taught me so much and I in turn have passed that on to my guys
and most important, you were the person at the right place and
time that re-charged me and gave me the courage to belive in myself.
Just by being brave and beliving in your self.
Thank you sir, and welcome aboard the JKDU advisory team!
Sincerly,
Rick Ray
Owner White Tiger Gym
Jeet Kune Do Training Center
Truth through experience...
---------- • ----------
Dear Matt Thornton,
I have just read your philosophy page and all I have to say is
"wow." Your intelligence and the depth of your
studies in philosophy is amazing. I am now totally convinced
that I am going to purchase your set as a Christmas present to
myself. But I really don't know what I'm getting myself
into or what to expect. I am thinking that this set is unlike
any others, in that it isn't a "technical" tape, am
I correct on that assumption? What kind of material does
these tapes cover and are tapes focused on the training and conditioning
aspect of martial arts? Any information will be appreciated.
Hi,
I just wanted to say that I love what you guys are doing to the
martial arts!! I often find myself questioning some of the drills
we do, because they don't seem to help when we spar, I am glad
to see that I am not the only one. I was just wanted to say, keep
up then great work, and I would love to have the opportunity to
train with you guys one day.
Thank you in advance, Terry Dellino (Canada)
---------- • ----------
Matt,
I'm John Kogas. I just ordered the "Functional JKD"
series and it is as everyone has described, outstanding!
I'm been doing BJJ for about 5 years now. Before that I
did JKD BUT I QUIT!!! Can you believe that? I quit
because I didn't see the relevance to REAL fighting!
I see things differently now though. Watching your vids
really showed me how to make the ranges FLOW (which was the goal
of JKD all along). I just wish you guys were closer to me
so that I could train with the SBG.
My main question is, I'm having trouble convincing my friends
who are in "other" styles (Isshin-Ryu) about this "aliveness"
(not that I'm kicking a dead horse). Now I've got to try
and put together my own training group. HOW did you go about
putting the SBG together and could you give me any advice on forming
something similar in MY area?
Thanks so much for helping MY training reach new levels.
I KNOW I'm not the only one who feels that way too!
Sincerely, -John W. Kogas
---------- • ----------
Matt,
I have to compliment you on your latest tape series. Julie and
I have been watching them together for the last few days. We have
seen hundreds of martial arts videos and none compare to what
you have done here, an absolute masterpiece.
Congratulations, -Paul Hopkins
---------- • ----------
Hi Matt,
I always check out Burton's excellent
website but now your JKD page will
be the 1st to be viewed. I
love the NO BULLSHIT approach, about
time there was a JKD website
like this. I have been offending ( unintentionally
) the JKD instructors in the UK
by posing questions about the street
effectiveness of JKD recently.
Keep up the great website and if
you are ever in the UK doing
a seminar please contact me.
Adam Cooper.
New Breed Self Protection..
---------- • ----------
Hey Matt ( coach )
how are you ?
well i would just like to say hello and to inform you that i
trully believe in your GYM and if you are in Australia at anytime
please look me up. I run an academy in Melbourne and i would love
to have you guys down here one day.
PEACE your mate rob from Australia
---------- • ----------
Dear Matt
I just did a workshop over here in the UK with Burton Richardson.
Trapping out-clinch work in! Please could you give me a
quote for your aliveness and clinch tapes. I will need them sent
over here to me.
Regards, -Richard
PS the worst of it is, I was training Muay Thai with a mate who
also did Greco Roman a few years ago (ten) but I gave it up to
work pak lop so drills!!!!!!????
---------- • ----------
im a police ofc in the state of il.my training partners are also
law enforcement ofc and we train in various arts from
kickboxing to jujitsu, judo,sambo, ,jkd but until we saw
your tape on the clinch like you said there was a missing
part of the puzzle.the reason we train is simple we love
it but it could be the difference between getting hurt or
not going home ever.just so you know that there are people out
here who are grateful that you keep looking and searching
for what works in real life on the streets. thanks
and just keep doing what you do.
submitted with respect. -B Gatlin
---------- • ----------
Matt,
Just wanted to drop you a note to say that I enjoyed scanning
your site. I like the no bullshit approach.
I work for Tony Blauer at the office in Montreal and got to see
your videos recently and really enjoyed them. I just read
that you'll be realeasing a follow up to them and look forward
to picking them up for myself. I should also say kudos for
not having the honesty not to make it 11 tapes at 30 min a pop!
I fight in MMA as a hobby so I find your approach, as would anyone
who trains like an athlete, very refreshing. Nice to see someone
who "gets it", (always nice to know we're not alone)!
As Tony would say, thanks for helping to put the "Martial"
back in the "Arts". Look forward to training with
you or your athletes someday soon. if you're ever going
to be around this way, the door/mat/ring is always open.
God Bless and Play Safe, -P.
---------- • ----------
Hi, Matt:
I just watched Functional JKD tapes one, two, and three, and
I must say, great job! Excellent, no frills instruction. Very
smart to include interviews to add a little variety to the content.
You've really helped me to achieve a new perspective on combat
athletics. I can't wait to start training with aliveness!
See you soon, Matt... -Tom
---------- • ----------
Hello Mr Thornton. My name is J.P. Webb.
I am very interested in coming in and checking out your gym.
I have to tell you... I spent a good part of my weekend reading
some of your writings and Q/A sessions on your website and I must
say Im pretty intrigued. I have been studing Martial Arts
for a while... yet, like the U2 song, I still havent found quite
what im looking for. I study @ a competitive school that
focuses on JKD, Ground, Boxing and Weapons... may be you know
the one. I have been there for roughly 5 years with some
breaks sprinkled in because of injury or burn out. I am
ready to make a change though.
Thanx, -jpwebb
---------- • ----------
Dear Sir,
I have a huge library of books, vidoes, magazines, etc on the
subjects of mixed martial arts, performance psychology, strength
and conditioning, philosophy, religion, tacical firearms and other
odds and ends. Someone was borrowing some of my tapes, a
kid I barely knew from the police academy. He gave me your tape
series to borrow and I am completly impressed and excited about
getting to know your system more. I love the no bullshit, real
deal approach. During grad school I lived at <www.stormmountain.com>
for a few months and trained in tactics and firearms with old
school hard core ex special ops and SWAT guys, a very agressive
school compared to other firearms training facilities. I
also weasled my way into two week long Tony Blauer law enforecment
instuctor courses, among other seminars with him using high gear
and I think he is an agressive no bullshit guy I look up to and
respect. Both Storm Mountain and Blauer have kept part of
me alive since my college football days are over, as something
inside of me is still yearning for combat and competition. I think
I might have just found another source of inspiration and growth
in your work. Currently I have 2 months left in the police academy,
but when I get out Im going back to serious lifting (Ive been
a part time strength coach at Yale with varsity athletes and even
though my football days are over I train like an athlete with
the athletes-cleans, snatches, plyos, interval sprints and agilities,
squats, deads, etc), trying to get good at BJJ, and take up some
boxing. I want to put the best of performance psychology,
strength and conditioning, mixed martial arts, and heart back
into some form of competition for myself in the next year or so.
Hopefully someday I can tie in this type of stuff with law enforcement
and firearms training too, as the academy Im in and some LE schools/instructors
Ive been too remind me of the brainwashed commercial traditional
martial arts schools. Im blessed to have trained at Storm Mountain
and with Tony Blauer, as the shit they teach at the police academy
will get some poor bastards killed someday!! It upsets me. Also,
the PT is very counterproductive and based on old fashioned notions.
Well Im rambling, and I have to actually get my face in some NSCA
books to help a friend write a paper on interval conditioning
for hockey before I head back to the police academy. Thanks
for keeping it real on your tapes, and someday I hope to meet
you and add you to my list of coaches and mentors in my life journey
for growth.
God Bless. -Matt
---------- • ----------
dear matt.
just a quick thanks for your class in jhb.Im from ireland and
your class over there would be welcome with open arms,i train
with Nuno and love every class.I justed wanted to say thank all
the best in the future
your 100% follower. -ciaran.
---------- • ----------
Dear Matt,
I just visited your site and printed off every page of information
that I could. I agree with 100% of everything that
you are trying to accomplish. I think that the most important
word in any martial art has to be "Function" i.e.
if I'm in the shit and have to fight for my life, will this
technique/style work? If not, drop it, find something that does
and practice, practice, PRACTICE!
I have studied all manner of styles over the years, and to be
brutally honest I am no better off from studying them (just
older and uglier). I fell in the mystical "chi"
mumbo jumbo crap a few years ago and wasted much precious
time in trying to find a technique/style that would make me the
"ULTIMATE" fighter, but as I'm sure you know, no such
thing exists, and know I have a lot of egg on my face.
All my research has not been in vain however, even Today I am
learning from my Past, I studied Judo as a kid, which consists
of testing out all it's techniques against a sometimes compliant
partner (while learning a technique) to a totally uncompliant
partner (when testing the techniques). The Judo training that
I practiced as a child has stood to me more, than all the
training I have ever done as an adult. I think the reasons
for this are the same as those you describe on your site,
regarding testing techniques against unco-operative partners.
Through grappling against an unco-operative opponent I know
what does and what does not work in certain grappling situations.
Most arts because the are "SO DEADLY" teach the
students to comply and to put up no resistance to techniques "IN
CASE THEY ARE KILLED" (ha! ha!), therefore, they are
not pressure tested, and therefore never properly ingrained
into the self defence arsenal and therefore totally unreliable
.
Thanking you in advance, -Peter Noack
---------- • ----------
Hi Matt.
just a quick note to thank you guys for firstly making such a
superior set of tapes, and for getting them to England within
6 days. I have ordered sets of instructional tapes before
and always been gutted to find that they are basically crap.
As a result I checked out your web page and read a couple of
tape reviews before ordering. I don't want to sound like an "ass
kisser" but the tapes are superb and have made
me realise that I'm on the right track with my training (Muay
Thai, BJJ,Shootfighting) but that my standup training lacks
ALIVENESS!!! This will be addressed when I get my Thai Boxing
coach to watch your tapes and hopefully he will come up
with some new training methods. If not I'm off elsewhere.
On visiting the USA in the future I always promised myself that
I would visit Ken Shamrock's Lions Den or the Gracie acadamy
for some training. I now know that the Staight Blast is
the way to go. If I am ever in the area I would love to
come and train in some classes. You are one of a rare breed
Mr. Thornton ( I mean this as a compliment!) and I hope to meet
you and the rest of your VERY tough guys some time in the future.
All the best , -Philip Brown
---------- • ----------
whats up mr thornton
i was at your seminar in south africa at rodney kings gym .i
would like to say thanks for all the techniques that you taught
keep well. -slim shady
---------- • ----------
Hi Matt,
I'm not sure if you're "on the road" or in Portland,
but I hope you will get this mail soon anyway. You're
a legend in Denmark right now, and people really want you back
for another seminar. We will have to arrange something again later.
Take care, -Michael.
---------- • ----------
Dear Mr. Thornton,
A couple of months ago you sent a tape set to my police department.
I wanted to let you know that they were well received by the patrol
division. Our department does not have a budget for our defensive
tactics program. In reality we don't have a defensive tactics
program. In the academy we are taught four wrist locks and a seven
block kata. The kata consists of down blocks and high blocks.
If you have ever looked at a Bruce tegner book from the 60's and
70's that what the state of Virginia mandates that we are taught.
I am a defensive tactics instructor, and its caused a lot of inner
turmoil for me because I realy don't feel comfortable teaching
it. Anyway, I think the tape series is incredible. The clinch
tape is more applicable to police work. I am currently working
with some other officers on our free time and we have been using
the clinch material for training. One aspect of the series that
effected me personally is the small interviews in between segments,
I find my self taking notes from those clips just as much as I
do from the techniques. A sincere thanks for the series and hopefully
I can keep plugging away and change the administrations way of
thinking.
p.s. thanks again. -R. J.
---------- • ----------
To Matt Thornton.
I attended your seminar in Denmark, and I would like to express
my deepest gratitude. I`ve been training in the martial arts for
about 10 years, and I must say that what you said really opend
my eyes. You cut away all the bullshit and kept the core...fighting!!!
I´m training with Michael and by august i`m going to teach
as his assistent (which im very proud of), i`ve been teaching
before but never in something like this, because I must admit
that I´ve been blindfolded and I kind of feel like a fool,
for believing that that crap (traditionel martial artist) could
save my life, and i`m more ashamed about having taught those techniqies
and told people that they work. In my own defense, I must say
that I argued with our allmighty sifu about keeping things simple
and throwing away belts, but he refused ofcourse. When I started
with Michael i was a bit skeptical, but the things he said made
alot of sense and I liked the training, that was simple compared
to the things I was used to. But when we fought I could see that
what he taught me was working and I could use only 1 or 2 two
kung fu kicks. Then we saw your tapes and suddenly it all stood
clear to me, I´ve had been fooled by that sweettalking sifu.
It was kinda hard to realize that you been training for 5 long
years in someting that doesen`t work (I trained the first 5 years
in some jkd-inspired kickboxing, but the club closed) and to admit
that I couldn`t fight proberly (during those years we met ocasionally
and fought fullcontact, but the sifu told us that we werent`t
good enough yet to make the techniquies work) To make a looooong
story short: I can relate to the things you`re "preaching"
(aliveness, moneyhungry sifus, dead patterns etc.) because I`ve
been there and I´ve seen it. I really understand what you`re
saying and I respect it. And I can`t thank you enough (and Michael
ofcourse, but he already knows that).
Yours sincerely, -Nicolai Thygesen, Denmark
---------- • ----------
Hey hows it going?
My name is Ben i live in Sydney,Australia. I wanted to let you
know it was excellent to read your interviews etc on the straightblast
gym website! And the training tips are also awesome!!!
thanks alot! -Ben
---------- • ----------
Hello Mr. Thornton, my name is Lorenzo. My son of 12 years of
age and I are new students of your Florida Affiliate school. I
just wanted to tell you that I am very grateful to you for your
system. I am a Federal Agent with U.S. Customs in Miami and do
a lot of crazy undercover shit. I really need this training. I
am an old dog (40) who's learning new tricks from your system.
Luis Guttierrez is an excellent instructor and I recommend
this school to all of my law enforcement buddies. I have 4 kids
and probably won't be able to afford your seminar here in Florida,
but again I just wanted to thank you for your system and tell
you that Luis is a true credit to the Straight Blast Gym.
Sincerely, Lorenzo
---------- • ----------
Thanks for the letter Lorenzo,
I am very happy to know you and your son are enjoying the training.
Luis is a great guy and good Instructor so you are in excellent
hands. I am proud to have him as part of our growing Organization.
He has played a pivotal role in it's development.
Hopefully I will get a chance to say hi to you guys when I am
in FLA, I am sure I will be at many of the regular classes throughout
the week.
take care -Matt Thornton
---------- • ----------
Dear Matt,
I'm just starting the intermediate
clinch tape from the new series
and all I can say is hot
damn! I have watched the first four
tapes (and rewatching, and rewatching) and
have started to apply some of the
concepets and techniques. Damn but your
skill level has grown since the
first tape series. Now I am going
to have to make it a priority
to visit Portland when I finish
college. You instruct the way I
wish I was instructed in my previous
years in ma! rtial arts. You teach
by example and modify things to
help suit the individual's body type.
You don't go "well this is
the way the grandmaster does so
we cannot deviate away from that."
I really wish I hadn't wasted the
previous four years on that crappy
training. Anyway, how in the hell
are you going to put out a
series 3?! With all the info on
series 2, you could spend a lifetime
just working that stuff only and
improve your game tenfold. Thank you
for contin! uing to put out the
BEST QUALITY in your tapes. Also,
thank you for not showcasing Tom's
dancing ability like in the first
series. That was the only disturbing
thing from those tapes. -David
---------- • ----------
Matt ,
Checked out your second series of tapes and I cant say enough
good things about them. the escapes from bottom (boxing hand position)
has helped my bottom game . Even as a combat ju jitsu instructor
most of the concepts on the escapes and guard tapes were informative
and practical. You have made me look hard at my curriculum
and do a little house cleaning and for this I am thankful.
-DANNY
---------- • ----------
Hey Matt,
My girlfriend got me tapes 2 & 3 for X-mas, and I just wanted
to let you know that they are now the best grappling tapes in
my library. I trained BJJ for a little over a year, and I always
thought that it would be so much easier if we were just told some
basic principles and a few basic techniques rather than being
shown a myriad of different techniques every class. It got to
the point where I would just ignore whatever was shown in class,
so I could work on my own thing when we started to roll. Your
tapes finally broke everything down the way I've been wanting
it though. I've only had them since X-mas, but my ground game
is already vastly improved from where it was before that. I just
wanted to say thanks for putting out some quality tapes and hopefully
encourage you to keep up the good work. Take care.
Regards, -Paul DiMarino
---------- • ----------
Jack Burton
First Review!
Ok, Got the tapes today! Fast service. I opted to send a money
order and from the time I sent it to the time I received the tapes
was less than ten days even during Holiday season! A+ for service
(as usual) I only watched the stand up tape so far. Before I review,
let me say that I personally enjoy the choice of music on these
tapes, we must have the same music library I put the tape in and
the same intro from the first series was on at the beginning.
I was expecting a new intro for some reason. Then after the first
intro there was a new intro! LOL! Which kind of bothered me because
that time could have been used for instruction. I re-watched it
and decided to give it an 8 out of 10, low score mostly due to
lack of kicking instruction.
White Tiger Gym "Truth through experience..."
---------- • ----------
Second review. Escapes from bottom!
Ok, now this is more like it! JAM PACKED with detailed instruction!
The music videos (which is what I call the fight footage with
music ) are few and always related to the topic just taught so
you can see it in action.For a newer BJJ person (lets say blue
belt maybe even purple) or someone wanting to add ground game
to their mix, I would give it 9 1/2 out of 10! (I never give a
10 because 10 is perfect and notingis perfect) Much more detail
than the first series ground tape.
Good Job SBG! A+
White Tiger Gym "Truth through experience..."
---------- • ----------
THIRD REVIEW. STAYING ON TOP!
Excellent! A+
Get it. Nuff said!
White Tiger Gym "Truth through experience..."
I think if you liked the first tapes, you'll enjoy these. The
three ground tapes and the clinch tape go into much more detail
then the first series did. The have definitely added to my game
in the month or so since I got them. There are plenty of interviews
but I think the tapes are long enough to accommodate them. As
for the stand up tape. I liked in. Though truthfully I am spending
most of my training time these days on clinch and ground so I
was more into the other four tapes.As with his first tape set
the concepts are more important than the techniques. In other
words not how to do a technique from the guard, but how to make
the guard work as a whole.The tapes are also fun to watch much
like the first set. When a tape puts me to sleep I have a hard
time learning from it.
---------- • ----------
Final review.
Well just seen clinch and Gaurd Tape. Once again excellent! In
my Opinion. A+ The gaurd Tape was nothing really "new"
But it is the points made and how they are made, that if you listen
to what Matt is saying, your guard game will improve 100%! The
clinch tape is awesome! For years in JKD it was Jun Fan kali trapping,
and HKE, we did chi sao and hubud. The clinch of Burton and Matt
(and some others) is muay thai/greco still with HKE, close boxing
and x-rated techniques.While chi sao and hubud do give you "energy"
they do so using "reference" points you don't get to
often. But neck wrestling, hand fighting and pummeling are free
sensitivity drills that give you sensitivity using "reference"
points you actually DO get! And also, if you ever DO get a reference
point like in Kali or chi sao, these knew drills allow you to
handle that as well. The clinch tape will give you a GREAT understanding
of the "new" trapping range! Over all I would give these
tapes A+. After I watch the stand up tape again, I may raise my
score on that one. As you see Soho liked it! It depends on what
your looking for and you never really know about a tape until
you see it for yourself. I gave it a low score because I hold
Matt to a high standard, higher than most people, because that
is the standard he has set for himself and has shown us before.
That stand up tape compared to others out there is GREAT! Although
I really do think at the time of production Matt was concentrating
on his ground and clinch game. These tapes show ALLOT of greco!
I think in present times Matt is working on standup hands with
Rodney King (could be wrong) Whats great is that Matt shares with
us what works for HIM, what he actually does in sparring. Matt's
in it for life and he cycles his focus, first series was a big
BJJ influence, this series was a big greco influence, next may
be a return to boxing at a higher level? (just a guess) People
say Matt is not doing JKD... He is of course doing JKD! In the
purest principal. Bruce used the principal with wing chun as his
physical base, to which he added boxing and others. Matt is doing
the same thing with Boxing as a base and adding BJJ/Greco and
others. Get it! USE it!
---------- • ----------
Quick Review of Matt Thornton's First Series Clinch Tape.
Matt emphasizes three key areas for the clinch game: 1-Control
the tie up-basically you should go for a superior position in
the clinch. The preference is to get underhooks in if you can
because you will have better positioning and more options than
if you got overhooks in. 2-Attached and unattached striking- is
striking while holding someone and striking without holding someone,
some elbows and knees are shown. 3- Takedowns and throws Moves
like the single leg, double leg, etc are shown. Of course my brief
review has left out a lot of material that was covered but I think
the tape is awesome. I would recommend getting it if you have
not be exposed to the clinch and/or need to see how to integrate
it for MMA.
Matt's tapes are phenomenal. It always amazes me how clear and
simple he makes things. So many people I have seen/know/watched
their videos, spend their time complicating issues. Matt is straight
forward and direct. If it works in practical application its included.
If not, there's no use training it. Most importantly, for me,
Matt himself is willing to get on the mat with you to prove his
point. So often we "take the word" of an "expert"
cos he claims a pedigree. Having met the man, he needs to claim
no pedigree (although he has a top class one, pedigree that is)
his ability is enough for me. -Neil
"I hate to appear sycophantical, (Paul Myatovich taught
me that word), but, all of his tapes would be beneficial.
To me it is not necessarily the techniques that make them unique,
although there is plenty you won't find elsewhere. But the insight
into the mentality, and approach towards training, and how it
is intelligently presented, forces a recommendation.
He talks about how imagination plays into the evolution of a
fighter in the first set and there is great emphasis on critical
thinking and problem solving.
Some folks have commented that the interviews are long and I
have said it is a mute point. And I meant mute. Not moot or arguable.
But mute in that it says nothing. Take out the interviews and
the tapes are still probably an hour and a half each.
When someone takes the time to tell you how they form thoughts,
and they are brutally honest in their criticsm of the status quo,
it does amazing things to your learning curve. And, like I said,
take the interviews out and the tapes are still well over an hour
and a half each.
If it is techniques you like, there are plenty. And after a concept
is introduced, the key elements are pointed out, and it is demonstrated
as a drill. Once several concepts are drilled they are trained
alive and shown in the context of sparring so you see the viability
against a resisting opponent.
They are good and unique, get 'em. -Paul Hopkins
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Hi all,
I have both the first & second complete sets from Matt. These
tapes are by far the best martial arts tapes I've ever seen. I
say this because they go much further then just discuss 'technique'
or 'drills'. What I like about these tapes is that they teach
you 'how' to train.
Yes, the drills, and tools are great. But much more important
than that is when Matt talks about what is needed to make drills
effective. Once you understand this, then you can create tons
of drills yourself.
These tapes have changed my outlook on training. I was somebody
that had my big fat head buried in the sand when it came to clinch
and ground...no more.
When you give up your ego and truly start to train in an alive
manner, the truth about fighting is forced to the top.
Get these tapes, and train the material on them. Then go see
Matt. I will be seeing Matt in a couple of months, and I can't
wait.
All the best, -BIG Sean Madigan
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